Addressing the Physical and Mental Impacts of Postsurgical Scarring Among Transgender and Gender Diverse People.

Few studies have considered the diverse mental and physical health impacts of scarring among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients after medically necessary gender-affirming surgery (GAS). For some TGD patients, post-GAS scarring may exacerbate gender dysphoria. For others, it is a physical representation of authenticity. The dearth of research or validated instruments capturing the diversity of priorities and concerns pre- and post-GAS hinders providers' ability to deliver optimal clinical care throughout the gender-affirmation process and impedes progress for evidence-based policy change regarding post-GAS scar treatment. This article provides suggestions for future research directions to address post-GAS scar-related health needs.

Psychiatric impacts of the COVID-19 global pandemic on U.S. sexual and gender minority young adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented isolation and mental health effects; few studies have characterized this in sexual and gender (SGM) minority young people, a particularly vulnerable population. This cross-sectional study sought to analyze the mental health outcomes of SGM young people (18-30 years) during the early stages of the pandemic in the United States (April 13-June 18, 2020) and to explore how factors related to SGM identity impact mental health, such as lifetime discrimination, family support, and pre-existing mental health conditions. An online survey collected socio-demographic information and assessed for both mental health (depression (PHQ-8), anxiety (GAD-7), PTSD (PCL-C)) and COVID-19-related outcomes (COVID-19-related worries and COVID-19-related grief). Out of 981 participants, 320 (32.6%) identified as SGM. SGM had significantly higher levels of depression and PTSD symptoms as well as COVID-19-related worries and grief than non-SGM, even after controlling for family support, lifetime discrimination, and pre-existing mental health diagnoses. These findings suggest that not only has the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted SGM mental health, but that minority stress factors cannot fully explain this impact. Thus, clinicians and societal stakeholders (schools, employers, policymakers) must think beyond traditional minority stress factors (family support, discrimination) and pre-pandemic disparities to support this vulnerable population as the pandemic progresses.